7-6a Teams Have A Tough Road Out

One of the state's top softball teams won't make it into the Class 6A regional playoffs.

The top two teams from each district qualify for regional tournament play, but there won't be enough qualifiers from District 7-6A.

Santaluces (18-2), Wellington (20-5) and John I. Leonard (22-5) are the district's best teams. Eight of the 12 losses incurred by these three teams have been in district games. In tournament play and competition against teams from other districts, they are a combined 39-4.

Spanish River, the last-place team with a district record of 0-10, is above .500 against non-district opponents.

"Whoever gets out of our district [tournament] definitely has the capability to make a run through the playoffs," Leonard coach Pam Walker said.

The district playoffs in all six classifications will be held this week. Regional play starts next week. Leonard is the host team for the District 7-6A tournament. Santaluces (9-1 in district) and Wellington (7-3) are the top seeds.

"We have played at [Leonard]. We have played well at that field, and it's real close to our school. We don't see that as being a factor," Santaluces coach Steve Ahern said.

Santaluces has defeated Leonard twice and has split two games with Wellington. Wellington and Leonard also split their two district games.

It's a six-team district, so Leonard, the third seed, has to play a first-round game against Spanish River. If the Lancers win that one, they will face Wellington in a semifinal that could be as good as any regional tournament contest.

The loser won't make it into the regionals.

"You see some of the top teams in the state right here," Walker said.

Walker has the luxury of being able to choose between two pitchers who have ERAs below 0.50. She said she hasn't decided which of the two -- junior Cara Van Wickler or sophomore Ashley Baker -- to start Tuesday against Spanish River.

"It is definitely a dynamic one-two rotation. They can both be very dominant," Walker said.

Santaluces has a first-round bye. Ahern said he expects sophomore Tori Ahern to do almost all of the Chiefs' pitching in the playoffs, just as she has done during the regular season.

Another strong district is 6-6A. Palm Beach Gardens, a state final four team last year, is the No. 3 seed in that district behind No. 1 Royal Palm Beach and No. 2 Vero Beach. One of those three teams won't make it to the regional tournament.

Other teams that should represent Palm Beach County very well in this week's district tournaments are Dwyer (No. 1) and Boynton Beach (No. 2) in District 14-5A; Jupiter (No. 1) in 15-4A; Pope John Paul II (No. 2) in 14-3A; Suncoast (No. 2) in 13-3A; American Heritage-Delray (No. 1) and King's Academy (No. 2) in 13-2A; and Glades Day (No. 1) and Summit Christian (No. 2) in 13-1A.